District 99 Defends Eminent Domain Lawsuit

Timeline

1966

Community High School District 99 purchases 45-acre site in Woodridge as a possible future school site.

September 2001

Board sets District goals including one “to analyze options for the Woodridge site and implement actions which maximize the benefit of this district asset.”

November 2004

Board begins study of options for use of the Woodridge site.

April 2005

Board of Education decides to use a bid process to determine true fair market value of the Woodridge property before deciding what to do with the property.

April 2005

Board of Education meets with Village of Woodridge representatives to describe the valuation process and reaffirm the District’s commitment to allow Woodridge to purchase the property at the market value if the school board decided to sell.

May 2005

Village offers to purchase District property for $8.5 million. District declines.
Village of Woodridge files eminent domain lawsuit to obtain the District 99 land.

June 2005

District receives sealed bid offer of $24 million.

September 2006

Village of Woodridge offers to purchase District property for $10 million. District declines.

March 2008

An eminent domain trial set the value of the property at $14.2 million.

April 2008

The District 99 Board of Education decides to appeal the decision.